Alarm



May 24, 1966 J. G. TRUPIANO ETAL 3,253,271

I ALARM Filed Dec. 10. 1963 2 Shets-Sheec 1 INVENTORS JZROM! 6.TRUP/A/VO ROSARIO TRUP/A/VO BY United States Patent 3,253,271 ALARMJerome G. Trupiano, 22105 Violet, St. Clair Shores, Mich., and RosarioTrupiano, 32343 Beacon, Frazer, Mich. Filed Dec. 10, 1963, Ser. No.329,514 12 Claims. (Cl. 340280) This invention relates to an electricalalarm and in particular to an alarm mechanism for detecting intentionalappropriation of a bundle of paper currency.

The objects of this invention are to provide an alarm device that isconstructed simply and economically; that is easily installed inexisting money tills of banks and other places where paper currency iskept without expensive modification of existing facilities; that is noteasily detected by a prospective thief; that is actuatedinconspicuously; and that operates simply, quietly, and effectively.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical circuit for thealarm when used with one denomination of currency.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the alarm device wherethe alarm is actuated by vertical movement'of the trigger pin of amicro-switch.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating several alarm devices of thetype shown in FIG. 1 incorporated in a conventional banking till forseveral bundles of different denomination currency.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section of the device shown in FIG. 2illustrating how the device is set or armed by a bundle of papercurrency.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section of the device in its set position.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section illustrating an intentional removalof the paper currency which actuates the alarm.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view illustrating an alternative embodimentwhere the micro-switch having a vertically moving trigger pin shown inFIG. 1 is replaced by a micro-switch having a pivoted trigger arm.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an alarm indicator 18, such as a bell, buzzeror light, is adapted to be energized by a source of electrical energy'12 through a series circuit including van on-oif switch 14 and amicro-switch 16 of analarm actuating device 18. Switch 16 is maintainedopen by, a bundle 20 of paper currency. When switch 14 is closed,withdrawal of bundle 20 from device 18 closes switch 16 to energizeindicator 10. When protecting bundles of two or more denominations, aswith the till illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of switchescorresponding to switch 16 will be connected in series with source 12and indicator 10.

Each alarm device 18 comprises a channel-shaped base plate 24 having aflat surface 26 for carrying bundle 20 and a pair of upstanding legs 28which facilitate installation in existing money tills as, for example,by a single screw 30 secured in till 32 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Switch 14 ismounted directly on plate 24 at the forward end of the channel thereof,although switch 14 may be located ,at a point remote from the device 18particularly if a single on-off switch is used 'for a plurality of alarmdevices. A retaining plate 34 is hinged at the rearward end of plate 24by a pair of pins 36 which are slidable in apertures 38 and 40 in plates34 and 24, respectively. Plate 34 is resiliently urged against surface26 by a pair of compression springs 42, each of which encircles arespective pin 36 and bears against plate 24 and a nut 44 which isthreaded or swaged on the end of each pin 36. Plates 24 and 34 havevertically registering aper- "ice tures 46 and 48, respectively. Switch16 is mounted within the channel of plate 24 on one leg 28 thereof andhas a vertically movable trigger pin 50 aligned with apertures 46, 48for vertical movement therethrough. Apertures 46, 48 are off center, ifneed be, to facilitate mounting switch 16 directly on one of the legs28. Switch 16 is a commercially available device where pin 50 is springbiased to a normally extended position which corresponds to a closedswitch condition. Switch 16 is mounted so that the upper tip of pin '50extends above plates 24, 34 when switch 16 is closed, the switch beingopen when the upper tip of pin 50 is depressed or retracted to aposition substantially in the plane of surface 26. A plurality of alarmactuating devices 18 may be used in a conventional money till 32 (FIG.4) suitably partitioned to accommodate various bundles 20 ofcurrency.

The operation of the alarm device 18 is best understood in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1 and 57. Initially, switch 14 is open and switch 16 isclose-d. To set the alarm, the forward end, the. end to the right asviewed in FIGS. S7, of plate 34 is raised slightly so that one or morebills 52 at the bottom of bundle 20 can be moved freely between pin 50and the underside of plate 34. Preferably plate 34 is raised above pin50, so that bill 52 clears pin 50, although it is to be understood thatby properly contouring the upper end of pin 50, insertion of bill 52will cam pin 50 downward. After bill 52 is moved to its extreme leftposition as viewed in FIG. '6, plate 34 is released and it is pivoteddownward by springs 42 toward surface'26. Downward movement of plate 34carries bill 52 downward, sandwiching it between plates 24, 34. Movementof bill 52 against surface 26 depresses trigger pin 50 to open switch16. Switch 14 is then closed to set the alarm device 1-8. FIG. 6 showsthe alarm device 18 in its set position, pin 50 being held in itsdepressed or retratced position solely by the shear strength of bill 52.Bill 52 is snugly retained by plate 34 to assure depression of pin 50.With commercially available microswitches having relatively weak springsbiasing the trigger pin to its extended position, a single bill 52 hassufiicient shear strength to maintain pin 50 in its depressed position.With pin 56 depressed, switch 16 is open so that when switch 14 isclosed, indicator 10 is not energized. In event of an unauthorizeddemand for paper currency, for example, a bank holdup, the bank tellermerely grasps the entire bundle 20, intentionally including the lowerbill or bills 52, and withdraws the entire bundle from the forward endof device .18, to the right as viewed in FIG. 7. As soon as bill 52 isdrawn to the right past apertures 46 and 48, trigger pin 50 is movedthrough apertures 46, 48 to its extended position by a spring in switch16, closing the contacts in switch 16 and actuating the alarm indicator10.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, with the bundles 20 positioned on alarmdevices 18, the alarm actuating mechanism is Well concealed by thebundle itself, the side partitions, and rearward wall of till 32. Thealarm is useful for both loose bundles and bundles bound by a band 58(FIG. 4). The alarm actuating device is extremely quiet in operation,the only sound beingan inherent click in switch 16 which is barelyaudible under normal conditions. The undersurface of plate 34 and alsothat portion of surface 26 abutting plate 34 may be coated or plated.with a suitable material to reduce noise and friction when bill 52 iswithdrawn.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, switch 16 (FIGS. 1-7) of thetype having a trigger pin movable between an extended and a depressedposition is replaced by a commercially available micro-switch 60 whichis tripped by rotation of a shaft 62. A trigger arm 64 made from smalldiameter wire is secured to shaft 62 for rotation therewith. Arm 64 hasan elbow 65 vertically aligned with registering elongated apertures '66,68 in plates 34, 34, respectively. Upward travel of arm 64 is limitedwhen an end portion 70 of arm 64 abuts plate 24. Alternatively, suitablestops provided for shaft 62 on commercially available micro-switches maybe used to limit the travel of arm 64. A portion 72 of arm 64 forward ofelbow 65 is preferably inclined so that when a bill is inserted betweenplates 24 and 34 and moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 8, the billwill cam arm '64 downward, counterclockwise as viewed in FIG, 8, from anextended position illustrated in full lines to a depressed positionillustrated in broken lines. With arm 64 in its extended position, elbow65 being above plates 24, 34, switch 60 is closed. With arm 64 in itsdepressed position, elbow 65 lying substantially in the plane of surface26, switch 60 is open. The undersurface of plate 24 abutting portion 70may be coated with a suitable noise-reducing material.

An alarm device having the actuating mechanism shown in FIG. 8 operatesin substantially the same manner as a device having a micro-switch 16 ofthe type shown in FIGS. 1-7. However, with arm 64 it is not necessarythat plate 34 be raised to clear elbow 65 since arm 64 will be cammedcounterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 8 when one or more bills 52 are movedfrom left to right as viewed in FIG. 8. In a manner similar to thatdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7, when the device is set, triggerarm 64 is held in its depressed position by the shear strength of one ormore bills 52 to maintain switch 60 open. When bundle 20, includingbottom bill 52, is withdrawn from device 18, trigger arm 64 pivotsclockwise to its extended position, closing switch 60 and energizingindicator 10.

As hereinabove described, in the preferred embodiment the micro-switchis positioned so that the actuating arm or pin moves upward when thebill is removed. When the bill is positioned between plates 24, 34, theupper tip of pin 50 (FIGS. 2-7) or elbow 65 (FIG. 8) lies substantiallyin the plane of surface 26 below plate 34. With the actuating means inthis position, switches 16 (FIGS. 2-7), 60 (FIG. 8) are off. When thebill is removed, pin 50 and arm 64 are free to move upward to close therespective switches 16, 60. One aspect of this invention is thesimplicity of the alarm device which'is in part achieved by maintainingthe switch in its off condition by the shear strength of one or morebills, preferably a single bill, properly positioned in the device. Whenthe bill is removed, movement of pin 50 or arm 64, previously restrainedsolely by the bill, closes switches v16, 60. The travel of pin 50 or arm64 necessary to actuate the alarm can therefore be relatively short.

We claim:

'1. In combination, a base adapted to carry a bundle of flexible billson one surface thereof, said surface having a recess, a retaining plateoverlying at least a portion of said surface and adapted to retain atleast one of said bills between said plate and said surface, said basesupporting said plate for relative movement toward and away from saidsurface, said retaining plate being biased into contact with saidsurface, a flexible bill between the plate and said surface to beretained there under normal conditions, switch means including actuatingmeans, said actuating means being movable from a position in said recessin said surface substantially in the plane of said surface to a positionremote from said surface, said retaining plate being formed to permitmovement of said actuating means in the absence of a bill between saidplate and said surface, said switch means being open when said actuatingmeans is in one of said positions, said switch means being closed whensaid actuating means is in the other of said positions.

2. In combination, a base adapted to carry a bundle of bills on onesurface thereof, said surface having a recess, a retaining plateoverlying at least a portion of said surface and adapted to retain atleast one of said bills between said plate and said surface, said basesupporting said plate for relative movement toward and away from saidsurface, said retaining plate being biased into contact with saidsurface, switch means including actuating means, said actuating meansbeing movable from a position in said recess in said surfacesubstantially in the plane of said surface to a position remote fromsaid surface, said retaining plate being formed to permit movement ofsaid actuating means, said switch means being open when said actuatingmeans is in one of said positions, said switch means being closed whensaid actuating means is in the other of said positions, said platehaving an aper ture therethrough registering with said recess in saidsur-' face of said base, said actuating means being movable in saidrecess and aperture between said positions.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said base comprises achannel-shaped plate, said switch means being within the channeladjacent a surface opposite said one surface, said actuating means beingmovable to a position penetrating said plate, said penetrating positioncorresponding to a closed condition of said switch means, said actuatingmeans being resiliently urged toward said penetrating position.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said actuating meanscomprises a longitudinally movable pin resiliently urged toward aposition extending through said aperture beyond said surface, saidswitch means being closed when said pin is in said extended position.

5. The combination set forth in claim 2. wherein said actuating meanscomprises a rotatable shaft, an arm mounted on said shaft and extendingtherefrom for rotating said shaft, said arm having an elbow movable insaid aperture, said arm being resiliently urged toward a position withsaid elbow extending through said aperture beyond said surface, saidswitch means being closed when said elbow is in said extended position.

6. In combination, a base adapted to carry a bundle of bills on onesurface thereof, a retaining plate overlying at least a portion of saidsurface and adapted to retain at least a portion of one of said billsbetween said plate and said surface, switch means including actuatingmeans, said actuating means being movable from a position adjacent theplane of said surface of said base to a position remote from saidsurface, said retaining plate being formed and positioned to permitmovement of said actuating means, the movement of said actuating meansbeing normally prevented by an overlying bill retained in a tautposition by saidsurface and said plate, said switch means being openwhen said actuating means is in one of said positions, said switch meansbeing closed when said actuating means is in the other of saidpositions, said retaining plate being movably disposed toward and awayfrom said surfaceof said base and being resiliently urged intoengagement with said surface. I

7. In combination, a base adapted to carry a bundle of bills on onesurface thereof, said suifabe having a recess,

a retaining plate overlying at least a portion of said sur-' face andadapted to retain at least one of said bills between said plate and saidsurface, said base supporting said plate for relative movement towardand away from said surface, said retaining plate being biased intocontact with said surface, switch means including actuating means, saidactuating means being movable from a position in said recess in saidsurface substantially in the plane of said surface to a position remotefrom said surface, said retaining plate being formed to permit movementof said actuating means, said switch means being open when saidactuating means is in one of said positions, said switch means beingclosed when said actuating means is in the other of said positions, saidretaining plate having a forward end and a rearward end, said rearwardend being hinged to a rearward end of said base whereby the for ward endof said retaining plate may be pivoted toward and away from said onesurface.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said base comprises aplate, said retaining plate is hinged to said base plate by a pinextending through said plates, said pin having a head at one end thereofengaging one of said plates, and a compression spring mounted betweenthe other of said plates and the other end of said pin.

9. An alarm device for use in detecting unauthorized appropriation ofone or more sheets of highly flexible material, comprising a base plateadapted to carry said sheets on one surface thereof, a retaining plateoverlying at least a portion of said surface and adapted to retain saidsheet between said plates, said base plate supporting said retainingplate for movement toward and away from said surface, said retainingplate being biased into contact with said surface, said plates havingregistering apertures therethrough, said apertures being closed by saidsheets when said sheets are retained between said plates, switch meansincluding actuating means, said actuating means being movable in saidapertures from a retracted position to an extended position, saidactuating means being resiliently urged to normally extend through saidplates, said actuating means being maintained in said retracted positionby the shear strength of one or more of said sheets when said sheets areretained between said plates, one of said positions corresponding to anopen condition of said switch means, the other of said positionscorresponding to a closed condition of said switch means.

10. An alarm device for use in detecting unauthorized appropriation ofone or more sheets of material, comprising a base plate adapted to carrysaid sheets on one surface thereof, a retaining plate adapted to overliea portion of said surface and retain said sheet between said plates,said plates having registering apertures thereth-rough, said aperturesbeing closed by said sheets when said sheets are retained between saidplates, switch means including actuating means, said actuating meansbeing movable in said apertures from a retracted position to an extendedposition, said actuating means being resiliently urged to normallyextend through said plates, said actuating means being maintained insaid retracted position by the shear strength of one or more of saidsheets when said sheets are retained between said plates, one of saidpositions corresponding to an open condition of said switch means, theother of said positions corresponding to a closed condition of saidswitch means, said retaining plate being thereof, said base having anaperture theret-hrough at said one surface, a retaining plate hinged tosaid base and resiliently urged into abutting engagement with said baseover a portion of said surface to hold at least one of said bills onsaid surface over said aperture, said retaining plate having an aperturetherethrough registering with said aperture in said base, switch meansmounted within said base, said switch means having actuating meansmovable in said apertures between a first position extending throughsaid apertures and beyond said retaining plate and a. second positioninterior of said retaining plate, said actuating means being resilientlybiased towards said first position and adapted to be retained in saidsecond position by a flexible bil-l held by and between said plates atsaid apertures, said switch means being open when said actuating meansis in one of said positions and said switch means being closed when saidactuating means is in the other of said positions.

12. In combination, a base adapted to carry a bundle of bills on onesurface thereof, a retaining plate overlying at least a portion of saidsurface and adapted to retain at least a portion of one of said billsbetween said plate and said surface, switch means including actuatingmeans, said actuating means being movable from a position adjacent theplane of said surface of said base to a position remote from saidsurface, said retaining plate being formed and positioned to permitmovement of said actuating means, the movement of said actuating meansbeing normally prevented by an overlying bill retained in a tautposition by said surface and said plate, said switch means being openwhen said actuating means is in one of said positions, said switch meansbeing closed when said act-uating means is in the other of saidpositions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,409,156 3/ 1922Dillon.

1,494,656 5/ 1924 Wherland 200 -52 1,534,363 4/ 1925 Day.

1,685,329 9/ 1928 Lynch.

2,375,393 4/1945 Story ZOO-61.59 2,770,690 11/1956 Sanders 200-6 119 XNEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. R. M. GOLDMAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A BASE ADAPTED TO CARRY A BUNDLE OF FLEXIBLE BILLS ONONE SURFACE THEREOF, SAID SURFACE HAVING A RECESS, A RETAINING PLATEOVERLYING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID SURFACE AND ADAPTED TO RETAIN ATLEAST ONE OF SAID BILLS BETWEEN SAID PLATE AND SAID SURFACE, SAID BASESUPPORTING SAID PLATE FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAIDSURFACE, SAID RETAINING PLATE BEIG BIASED INTO CONTACT WITH SAIDSURFACE, A FLEXIBLE BILL BETWEEN THE PLATE AND SAID SURFACE TO BERETAINED THERE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING ACTUATINGMEANS, SAID ACTUATING MEANS BEING MOVABLE FROM A POSITION IN SAID RECESSIN SAID SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF SAID SURFACE TO A POSITIONREMOTE FROM SAID SURFACE, SAID RETAINING PLATE BEING FORMED TO PERMITMOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN THE ABSENCE OF A BILL BETWEEN SAIDPLATE AND SAID SURFACE, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING OPEN WHEN SAID ACTUATINGMEANS IS IN ONE OF SAID POSITIONS, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING CLOSED WHENSAID ACTUATING MEANS IS IN THE OTHER OF SAID POSITIONS.